Probation & Disqualification FAQs

A student is in good academic standing when his/her overall cumulative grade point
average (GPA) and SDSU GPA are 2.0 or higher. If either overall cumulative GPA or
SDSU GPA fall below a 2.0, a student will be placed on academic probation. Being on
academic probation means that a student's academic performance is below the state
minimum required for graduation and that improvement is required. Students are placed
on academic probation at the end of the semester when their SDSU grade point average
(GPA) and/or cumulative GPA is less than 2.0 (less than a "C" average).

What happens when you are on academic probation?

Students on academic probation must achieve a minimum SDSU grade point average (GPA)
of 2.0 each semester or they will be immediately disqualified. If the semester GPA
is at least a 2.0 while on academic probation, the student may continue on probation
for a maximum of three semesters. Students who, at the end of the third semester,
have not raised their SDSU and cumulative GPA to a 2.0 or higher will be academically
disqualified.

Students on academic probation will be disqualified at the end of the fall or spring
semesters if they earn less than a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) for any semester
while on probation, or if they still have less than a 2.0 GPA in all work completed
at the end of their third semester on probation (not including summer).

What happens when you are disqualified?

Students who have been disqualified from SDSU will not be allowed to attend regular
SDSU or Open University classes, or classes through the SDSU College of Extended Studies
Special Sessions until one year from the date of their disqualification. Students
must also reapply for admission to SDSU and gain acceptance before resuming enrollment
in regular SDSU classes after that one year.

After being disqualified, how can I be readmitted to SDSU?

Disqualified students must reapply to SDSU. You must meet the admission criteria that
exist at the time you reapply in order to be considered for readmission. Readmission
is not automatic and is not guaranteed. Criteria for readmission to SDSU can be found
on the Admissions Web site.

To determine your academic status, you should refer to your WebPortal Message Center
and your transcript. Your unofficial transcript is available through SDSU WebPortal.

When you are placed on academic probation or are academically disqualified, a note
will appear under the "Academic Status" row. Your unofficial transcript will also
list all SDSU courses you have taken in chronological order. Under each term, you
will see a column for UA, UE, Grade points, and REF. UA means units attempted or the
number of units a course is worth. UE means units earned or the number of units you
earn for completing a course with a grade of D- or higher. Grade is the grade you
earned for a course. PTS are the grade points you earned for each course you received
a grade for. REF stands for reference codes which may appear on your unofficial transcript.
For each semester that you complete courses, you will receive term totals, which will
show you the total number of units attempted and earned, the total grade points earned,
and grade point average for the semester. Below your term totals, you will see your
SDSU cumulative totals. Your SDSU cumulative totals include all of the coursework
you have completed at SDSU.

How do I calculate my GPA?

To calculate your grade point average (GPA), divide your total grade points by your
total number of units attempted. Units earned with a "Cr" (Credit) grade are not included
in the computation. A grade of "I" (Incomplete authorized) is not counted in the GPA
computation until one calendar year has expired, at which point it will be charged
as an "IC" (Incomplete charged) and count as an "F" in the calculation. Summer term
and Open University courses are included in the SDSU GPA. Extension courses are calculated
only in the cumulative GPA.

Referring to your transcript, use this formula:

GPA = Total Grade Points / Total Units Attempted

How do I calculate grade points?

For every course unit, you receive grade points based on the grade you earned. SDSU
offers a plus/minus grading system, but not all instructors use it.

Grade Point Conversion Chart

A = 4.0

C + = 2.3

D - = 0.7

A - = 3.7

C = 2.0

F = 0

B + = 3.3

C - = 1.7

WU = 0

B = 3.0

D + = 1.3

I = 0

B - = 2.7

D = 1.0

IC = 0

To calculate your grade points, multiply the number of course units by the number
of grade points for the grade you earned. Referring to the chart above and your transcript,
use this formula:

Number of Course Units X Number of Grade Points = Total Grade Points

Example: If you earned a B+ in a 3-unit class, your grade point total for that class would
be:

Course forgiveness is the most effective and efficient way to get off academic probation.

What is course forgiveness?

Course forgiveness allows you to re-take a class and "forgive” the first grade. Course
forgiveness can only be used on original grades of "C-" or lower. The courses must
be the exact same course and must be repeated at SDSU. The original grade remains
on your transcript, but does not get calculated into your grade point average. The
second grade replaces (forgives) the original grade. See the course forgiveness section of this Web site for more information.

How many courses can I take with course forgiveness?

You may request a maximum of 16 units for course forgiveness as part of the 28-unit
course repeat limit. Note that you can repeat the same course only once for course
forgiveness, and no more than one course used for course forgiveness may be an upper
division course.

What if I earn a lower grade using course forgiveness?

The second grade you earn in the course counts, even if it is lower than your original
grade.

Where do I stand?

You will need to determine what courses you can re-take and determine how you can
use course forgiveness to help resolve academic probation. The GPA worksheet will also assist you in outlining your GPA goals. Using your GPA worksheet and your
unofficial transcript, enter in your current SDSU and overall cumulative GPA.

Use the GPA calculator to enter in your Units Attempted, Grade Points Accumulated, and Desired GPA. You
can find your total Units Attempted and your total Grade Points Accumulated on your
SDSU unofficial transcript. The GPA calculator will outline the number of units and
grades you need to reach a 2.0 to be removed from academic probation. Additionally,
the GPA calculator can help you determine what number of units and grades you need
to reach your impaction GPA.

Keep in mind that the GPA calculator does not include courses you take for course
forgiveness. Examine your unofficial transcript and circle classes where you have
earned a C- or lower. These are courses you may want to consider repeating for course
forgiveness and will want to discuss with an Academic Adviser.

How can I get good grades?

Here are some tips to help you succeed:

Go to class.

When in class, participate and ask questions.

Limit your class and workload total.

Plan to study at least 3 to 4 hours each week for every unit of class.

Attend Bounce Back.

Visit your instructor during office hours to get answers when you don't understand
assignments or information.

Join or form a study group.

How can I avoid unearned poor grades?

Here are some tips to help you avoid getting unearned low grades:

Confirm your class schedule using the SDSU WebPortal and drop any class you are not attending.

Know the schedule adjustment deadline each semester. The schedule adjustment period
ends at 11:59 p.m. on the tenth class day of the fall and spring semesters. You will
not be able to add and drop classes after the deadline.

See an academic adviser in the Academic Advising Center, SSW 1551, to establish an
academic plan to help you get off academic probation. Students who have been disqualified
from SDSU can see an academic adviser to develop an academic plan to prepare for readmission
to SDSU.

You will discover that there are many additional advising resources on campus. For
more information review the Seeing An Adviser section.

The Department of Counseling and Psychological Services offers the Bounce Back program
to students on academic probation. This one-unit course teaches various academic skills
such as time management, test taking, study skills, and how to increase resilience
by strengthening the ability to bounce back from adversity. More information about
the Bounce Back program can be found on the Counseling and Psychological Services Web site.

Become familiar with important terms that involve your academics by reviewing the
Terms You Need to Know document.